Abdominal Pain, Short-Term

Just about everyone has had a "stomachache" at one time or another. But sudden severe abdominal pain, also called acute pain, shouldn't be ignored. It often indicates a serious problem. Follow this chart for more information about acute abdominal pain. Or find more information about abdominal pain that has lasted for more than 3 days.

SYMPTOMS DIAGNOSIS SELF-CARE

1. Do you have abdominal pain that is severe, constant and Go to Question 7.* dull, severe and knife-like, or severe cramping ?

In pregnant women, lower 2. Are you abdominal or pelvic pain CALL YOUR pregnant, or do along with vaginal bleeding DOCTOR RIGHT you believe you may be a sign of a serious AWAY OR GO TO might be condition such as ECTOPIC THE HOSPITAL. pregnant? PREGNANCY or MISCARRIAGE.

3. Do you have any of the These may be signs of a following serious problem such as one symptoms? of the following:

• Is your • APPENDICITIS stomach • INFECTIOUS very DIARRHEA CALL YOUR tender to • BLEEDING FROM THE DOCTOR RIGHT touch? BOWELS AWAY OR GO TO • Do you • PERFORATED THE HOSPITAL. have APPENDIX, bloody DIVERTICULITIS or diarrhea ULCER or stools • PANCREATITIS that are • BOWEL BLOCKAGE black or tarry? • Are you vomiting blood ? • Do you have a fever?

4. Does the pain start in your upper middle or upper right abdomen and You may have GALLSTONES See your doctor shift to your or an INFECTION of the promptly. back, and does it gallbladder. occur or worsen when you eat fatty or greasy food ?

5. Do you have a sudden sharp Your pain may be from a pain that starts CALL YOUR KIDNEY STONE or TUMOR. in the back near DOCTOR RIGHT If you have a fever, you the ribs and AWAY OR GO TO may have a KIDNEY or moves down THE HOSPITAL. BLADDER INFECTION. toward the groin?

6. Is your pain in These may be signs of the lower right ULCERATIVE COLITIS or abdomen, and CROHN'S DISEASE, See your doctor. do you have inflammatory diseases of blood or mucus the colon or large intestine. in your stools?

*7. Do you have a mild ache or burning pain in the upper Go to Question 11.** abdomen, or cramping pain that comes and goes?

8. Do you have You may have Use fever-reducing watery diarrhea, GASTROENTERITIS, medicines. (Don't fever, muscle commonly called the give children aches, chills, stomach flu. Severe cases of aspirin without nausea or gastroenteritis can lead to consulting your vomiting? dehydration in infants and doctor.) Call your young children. doctor if vomiting and diarrhea persist for more than two days, or if you see any blood or mucus in the diarrhea. Call your doctor if your child shows signs of dehydration: lethargy, dry mouth, decreased urination.

Be sure to include lots of FIBER in your diet and drink enough fluids. Bulk-forming 9. Has it been a laxatives can also few days or CONSTIPATION may be the help. Many longer since you source of your discomfort. laxatives are have had a Occasionally a child will hold available to treat bowel movement a bowel movement because constipation in and do you have of pain from a children. Your to strain when HEMORRHOID or an ANAL doctor can you have a FISSURE. recommend one bowel that is appropriate movement? for your child. See your doctor if the pain or constipation continues.

10. Do you have Try taking an over- pain or a burning the-conter antacid sensation in the This may be from on a regular basis. upper abdomen GASTRITIS, an irritation of See your doctor if that is either the stomach, or from an an antacid doesn't relieved or gets ULCER. help or if the pain worse when you comes back eat? quickly.

**11. Are you a A dull, constant pain This condition woman who has accompanied by a vaginal requires an a constant pain discharge may be a sign of antibiotic. See in the lower PELVIC INFLAMATORY your doctor. abdomen along DISEASE (PID), an infection with a vaginal around your ovaries, uterus discharge? and fallopian tubes.

12. Do you have a mild pain, discomfort or a feeling of CYSTITIS, an infection of pressure in the the urinary tract, can be See your doctor lower abdomen painful and cause abdominal promptly. along with a discomfort. burning sensation when you urinate?

If the pain doesn't stop within a few hours, call your doctor. For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think your problem is serious, call right away.

This tool has been reviewed by doctors and is for general educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice. The information in this tool should not be relied upon to make decisions about your health. Always consult your family doctor with questions about your individual condition(s) and/or circumstances.